Europe
2020.02.16 18:54 GMT+8

Storm Dennis: windstorms and floods wreaking havoc as storm hits the UK and Ireland

Updated 2020.02.17 02:28 GMT+8
By Giulia Carbonaro in London

Storm Dennis continues to bring havoc across the UK and Ireland on Sunday. Heavy rain, high winds and flooding have already caused major disruptions in parts of Britain, where roads were closed and barricaded, and properties were flooded by the storm which first hit on Saturday.

The Met Office, the UK's national weather service, issued a red warning - indicating a 'life-threatening' situation - in parts of South Wales, and multiple amber alerts and yellow warnings - indicating the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and potential risk to life and property - for parts of Yorkshire, Wales, Devon, East Sussex and Kent.

 

Powerful waves break against the coasts of the small port of Porthleven in south west England. Credits: AP Photo/Alastair Grant

Storm Dennis has caused flooding all across the UK. Here flooded Teme Street in Tenbury Wells, western England. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

A car tries to drive across a flooded street in Tenbury Wells, western England. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

Members of the Fire and Rescue Service evacuated residents trapped by the floodings after River Teme burst its banks in Lindridge, western England. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

An empty coach abandoned in the flooded street after River Teme burst its banks near Lindridge, western England. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

Huge waves crash against the sea wall at Porthcawl, in south Wales. Credits: Geoff Caddick / AFP

Pedestrians struggle against the wind walking along the promenade in Porthcawl as Storm Dennis hits the country. Credits: Geoff Caddick / AFP

 

The Met Office was predicting 140mm of rain to fall in South Wales on Sunday morning before the storm eased  in the afternoon. Andy Page, Met Office chief meteorologist, reportedly invited people in South Wales to follow the safety advice from officials, warning that "there is a risk of significant impacts from flooding in this area, including a danger to life from fast flowing water, extensive flooding to property and road closures."

Storm Dennis is sweeping in over the country only a week after Storm Ciara hit the UK with hurricane-strong winds and heavy rains. Storm Ciara's impact was heavily felt in West Yorkshire, where army personnel were deployed by the Ministry of Defence to assist people who have suffered damage from the storm and build flood defences in the streets.

On Saturday the storm claimed two victims in rough seas in Kent, where two bodies were pulled out of the water. Storm Dennis' death toll has reached the number of three on Sunday, after a man lost his life after falling into the River Tawe, in the town of Ystradgynlais in south Wales. Hundreds of flights and trains were cancelled or delayed.

Storm Dennis is expected to die out by Monday afternoon.

 

The level of the River Ouse rises in York, North Yorkshire, flooding the streets. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

The level of the River Ouse rises in York, North Yorkshire, flooding the streets. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

Pedestrians walk on the Ouse Bridge as the level of the River Ouse rises in York, North Yorkshire, flooding the streets. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

The level of the River Ouse rises in York, North Yorkshire, flooding the streets. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

Members of the 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland erect flood barricades in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, to face the disruption expected after Storm Dennis hits the country. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

Members of the 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland erect flood barricades in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, to face the disruption expected after Storm Dennis hits the country. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

Members of the 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland erect flood barricades in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, to face the disruption expected after Storm Dennis hits the country. Credits: Oli Scarff / AFP

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